Landscaping - Landscaping touching the side of the house

I got in trouble with my better half for cutting a climbing plant (yellow leaves with speckled green) from our fence post that was climbing up along the post and gutter and touching the wall. I've been told that it's never a good idea to have plants touching the house because termites can enter and moisture will wick in. Is it ever OK to let vines climb up a brick wall?

I would never let a climbing plant to attach itself to the house. It is just a recipe for trouble.

That is dependent upon your location, in the south or central regions of the US, it's not a good idea at all. I however living in New Hampshire, have an ivy plant climbing up my the brick walls on either side of my house, they do however need to be kept very trim. So if you're up north where the pests are few, go ahead and let those plants grow, with a well placed trellis, post, or cage, however I suspect since you mention termites you are further south and it's not something I'd reccomend. I'd also mention that many plants will "suck" into brick mortor and you won't be able to pull them out without damaging the brick, so if a vine is let to long, it becomes somewhat difficult to get rid of, taking months for the "suckers" to rot out.